Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I've always wanted a Segway, but never thought I could afford one until this one became the Deal of the Day for Prime Day (7/12/16.) It arrived today, by which time I'd already downloaded and read the manual from the Segway site, and viewed their safety video and other info. I'd also already installed the Ninebot app on my iPhone6S+. So once I got the box open, I was good to go. (Unexpectedly, the miniPro showed up fully charged, and tires fully inflated. Thanks Segway!) What I had not anticipated was how frightening the first couple of minutes would be. The first task is to step on, which isn't easy when you've never done it. The next task is to touch the knee bar to make the unit rotate fully left and right. I did those tasks on soft rubber flooring, just in case, but eventually got through them without incident. I then took the unit outside for the next task - going forward 10 meters. The hard part of that was getting the unit to recognize that I had done so. After going all around our neighborhood and having it still tell me I have to go 10 meters, I swiped up to remove the Ninebot app from the iPhone's memory and then restarted the app. It then congratulated me on having gone the required 0.6 KMs to have the speed limit removed. I then cruised around the neighborhood a few more times, making sure I can now start, stop, speed up, slow down and turn. Knock on wood I have not fallen off the miniPro yet, and hope that streak of luck and/or skill continues. Today's experience reminds me a lot of my first time on roller blades. One of my walking-challenged neighbors saw me on it, so I mentioned it's supposed to be useful for handicaps, to which she replied, "Sure, if you have good balance." And I think she nailed that exactly. My wife lacks that, and has no intention of ever trying to ride the miniPro. Afterwards, I was surprised how much the arches of my feet felt they had been exercised. I suspect some of that is just the tension of learning a new skill, but it's something to be aware of if you have plantar fasciitis. One warning I did not see beforehand that may be important to others too is that the miniPro is not intended for use by kids under age 16, or seniors over the age of 60. I had intended mine to also be used by my 9 year old grandson. The 220# weight limit is openly stated, as is the minimum 4'3" and maximum 6'6" height limit. One other possible use I imagined for the miniPro was taking it with me to an orphanage where we serve in Mexico, for use by disabled kids there. I now suspect that will wait until I'm expert in using the miniPro myself on their dirt roads, and only if any of them are old enough with sufficient balance to use the miniPro. In short, it has a few unexpected limitations, but works well once its rider is a bit trained. Update: I've now logged 14 miles in 3 days, still without ever falling (Yay!) As I've gotten more used to the experience, I can now safely and successfully go places I could not before, such as over low lips between sidewalks and streets, and up, over and down a wooden railway tie bridge in our neighborhood (lots of bouncing, but the MiniPro took it all in stride once I trusted it to do so.) I notice my stance standing on it is a bit tight - and might benefit from another inch of width. Update 2: I'm up to 40 miles overall, still without ever falling. Yesterday, I decided to try for a longer ride, and managed 7 miles in 45 minutes along a bike path that included several steep bridge underpasses. The MiniPro took it all in stride, with plenty of power leftover to do the same again. Another thing I REALLY like is that it is now easy for me to come to a full stop at stop signs and lights, wait until its my turn to go, and then quickly resume full speed. On a bicycle I always hated coming to a full stop due to the lost energy of braking, but that's no issue when an electric motor is doing all the work. OK, most of the work. After a few miles, my feet are still ready for a short break, just as they would be (my wife reminds me) if I stood still that long. Update 3: Finally managed to fall today, while dismounting on a dirt path. I accidentally hit the steering post with my left leg after stopping and stepping off the Segway with my right leg. That triggered a sudden tight turn that tipped me onto the dirt with no harm other than to my vanity. This is after 80 miles overall, just enough to get a bit too sure of my abilities. Since my last update, I've also learned that our local police still consider me a pedestrian on the Segway, meaning I'm to use sidewalks, rather than on street bike paths. They also point out that only folks with drivers licenses are allowed to use these in our town. I've also somehow managed to lose one of the red wheel decorations along the way. Good thing it came with a spare.